FNF Stock Hits 52-Week High: Should You Buy Now or Wait?

Shares of Fidelity National Financial FNF closed at $64.78 yesterday, after hitting a new 52-week high of $66.10 during trading hours. The stock has gained 15.4%  year to date, outperforming the property and casualty insurance industry’s increase of 13.9% and the Finance sector’s increase of 3.8%. The S&P 500 composite has, in contrast, declined 3.3%. FNF stock is trading well above the 50-day moving average, indicating a bullish trend. With a capitalization of $17.9 billion, FNF has a market-leading position in residential purchase, refinance and commercial markets.  It is poised to grow on market share growth, solid margin, competitive advantages, strong track record of technology innovation and wealth distribution.FNF Stock vs. Industry, Sector, S&P 500Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchAverage Target Price for FNF Stock Suggests an UpsideBased on short-term price targets offered by five analysts, the Zacks average price target is $70.80 per share. The average suggests a potential 9.3% upside from the last closing price.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchMixed Analyst Sentiments for Fidelity National FinancialTwo of the three analysts covering the stock lowered estimates for 2025, while one increased the same for 2026 over the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for 2025 has moved 2% south, while the same for 2026 has moved 3.3% north in the past 30 days.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 implies a 27.4% year-over-year increase, while the same for 2026 suggests a 17.4% increase. It has a Growth Score of B.Factors Impacting FNF StockFidelity National, by virtue of its strong market presence, enjoys a scale advantage. Its scale and volume fuel revenues while lower costs provide a competitive advantage. In tandem with the industry trend of accelerated digitalization, this title insurer is also investing in technology to strengthen its market-leading position.FNF expects higher commercial volumes in the office sector and continued strength in the industrial, multifamily and energy sectors, among others, in 2025.The title business, which is its core business, is well complemented by real estate-related businesses as well as the annuities & life insurance business. Assets under management should benefit from solid retail annuity sales and F&G's presence in institutional markets benefit. F&G invests in a high-quality and well-diversified portfolio and its average assets under management growth drives earnings.Banking on operational expertise, FNF has a solid capital position that supports wealth distribution, mergers and acquisitions, organic growth initiatives and debt payments.With the expectation that the Fed would not cut rates further, FNF estimates quarterly interest and investment income to be $95 million to $100 million in each quarter during 2025. However, the Fed still maintains its expectation of two rate cuts this year.However, the debt balance increased 7.7% as of Dec. 31, 2024. Both leverage as well as times interest earned compared unfavorably with the industry average.Fidelity National’s Return on CapitalFNF’s return on equity in the trailing 12 months was 15.2%, better than the industry average of 8.3%, reflecting efficiency in utilizing shareholders’ funds.Return on invested capital (ROIC), which reflects a company’s efficiency in utilizing funds to generate income, too compares favorably with the industry. FNF’s ROIC in the trailing 12 months was 7%, higher than the industry average of 6.4%.FNF Shares Are ExpensiveFNF shares are trading at a price-to-book multiple of 2.69, higher than the industry average of 1.65. Yet, it has a Value Score of A.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchIt is expensive compared with other industry players like Stewart Information Services STC and Old Republic International ORI.How to Play FNF StockFNF is set to grow on higher direct and agency premiums, strong origination demand and effective capital deployment. As the nation’s largest title insurance company, Fidelity National should benefit from solid long-term fundamentals for U.S. residential and commercial real estate markets, given its largest and deepest real estate data networks. Its impressive dividend history, with the yield outperforming the industry average, makes it an investor’s favorite. Its dividends increased at a 10-year CAGR of 9.7%. Also, its VGM Score of A instills confidence in the stock. However, its premium valuation, mixed analyst sentiment, unfavorable leverage and times interest earned, and interest rate cut weigh on interest and investment income, keeping us cautious.  It is thus wise to adopt a wait-and-see approach for this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) insurer. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. 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